Publications by authors named "Ammad Baig"

Background And Objectives: Histologic and transcriptomic analyses of retrieved stroke clots have identified features associated with patient outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated the predictive capacity of histology or expression features in isolation. Few studies, however, have investigated how paired histologic image features and expression patterns from the retrieved clots can improve understanding of clot pathobiology and our ability to predict long-term prognosis.

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Background: The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) is a treatment modality available for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, specifically beneficial in wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. Conventional sizing methods rely on the manipulation of aneurysm width and height measurements. This results in frequent need for re-sizing after initial WEB insertion attempts.

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  • * A retrospective analysis was conducted on 23 patients who received axolotl dermis patches after surgical procedures, with data collected on demographics, post-surgery complications, and comorbidities affecting wound healing.
  • * Results showed that only 8.7% of patients experienced complications such as infection or wound dehiscence after using the patches, suggesting a promising alternative for chronic wound management.
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Background And Objectives: Multiple preferences exist for embolic materials selection in middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) for chronic subdural hematoma with limited comparative literature data. Herein, we compare different embolic materials.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing MMAE for chronic subdural hematoma at 14 North-American centers (2018-2023) were classified into 3 groups: (a) particles, (b) Onyx, (c) n-butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA).

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  • Intraoperative 2D quantitative angiography (QA) for detecting intracranial aneurysms faces accuracy challenges due to inconsistencies in hand-injection techniques, prompting the exploration of singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithms as a potential solution.
  • This study aims to adapt SVD-based deconvolution methods from computed tomography perfusion (CTP) to improve the reliability and accuracy of hemodynamic assessments in 2D QA, independent of variable injection conditions.
  • By analyzing virtual angiograms from internal carotid aneurysm cases, the research applies various SVD methods to extract key flow parameters and evaluate the effects of injection duration and inlet velocity on QA outcomes.
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Objective: The authors sought to quantify the role of social media-related academic activity through use of the Altmetric score (a composite score based on social media attention from a variety of sources) and investigate its potential impact on the number of citations received at 3 years postpublication (articles published between January 2019 and December 2019).

Methods: Articles published in the top 12 neurosurgical journals according to Google Scholar (based on 5-year Web of Science impact factors, 2017-2021) were identified. Data collected included days since publication, Altmetric scores, and total number of tweets (posts), and 3-year citations were obtained from Google Scholar.

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Background: The optimal duration for dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after stent-assisted coiling (SAC) of intracranial aneurysms is unclear. Longer-term therapy may reduce thrombotic complications but increase the risk of bleeding complications.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively maintained data at 12 institutions was conducted on patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms who underwent SAC between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020, and were followed ≥6 months postprocedure.

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Background: Utilizing an endovascular rat glioma model, this study aimed to analyze the efficacy of intra-arterial (IA) carboplatin and bevacizumab delivery with blood-brain barrier breakdown (BBBB) for glioblastoma treatment.

Methods: C6-glioma cells were stereotactically injected into the left frontal lobe of Wistar rats. Tumor growth was confirmed on day 8 via MRI.

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Background And Objectives: Cerebral ventriculitis remains a challenging neurosurgical condition because of poor outcomes including mortality rates of nearly 80% and a prolonged course of treatment in survivors. Despite current conventional management, outcomes in some cases remain unsatisfactory, with no definitive therapeutic guidelines. This feasibility study aims to explore the use of a novel active, continuous irrigation and drainage system (IRRAflow [IRRAS AB]) combined with intraventricular drug delivery for patients with cerebral ventriculitis.

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Background: With transradial access (TRA) being more progressively used in neuroendovascular procedures, we compared TRA with transfemoral access (TFA) in middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH).

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing MMAE for cSDH at 14 North American centers (2018-23) were included. TRA and TFA groups were compared using propensity score matching (PSM) controlling for: age, sex, concurrent surgery, previous surgery, hematoma thickness and side, midline shift, and pretreatment antithrombotics.

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  • This study is the first to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a large bore access catheter (0.081″) in neurovascular interventions across multiple centers in the U.S.
  • Data was collected from 90 patients, revealing a high technical success rate of 98.9% for procedures involving aneurysm embolization, carotid stenting, and arteriovenous malformation embolization, primarily using the transradial approach.
  • The findings indicate that the large bore catheter is safe and effective, with no access site complications and only minimal unrelated postprocedural complications.
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Background: Transcriptomic profiling has emerged as a powerful tool for exploring the molecular landscape of ischemic stroke clots and providing insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying stroke progression and recovery. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between stroke clot transcriptomes and stroke thrombectomy outcome, as measured by early neurological improvement (ENI) 30 (i.e.

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Objective: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is associated with high mortality rates. There is a significant gap in the literature describing global disparities in demographics, management, and outcomes among patients with aSAH. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess global disparities in aSAH presentation and management.

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Background And Objectives: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is necessary to minimize the risk of periprocedural thromboembolic complications associated with aneurysm embolization using pipeline embolization device (PED). We aimed to assess the impact of platelet function testing (PFT) on reducing periprocedural thromboembolic complications associated with PED flow diversion in patients receiving aspirin and clopidogrel.

Methods: Patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms requiring PED flow diversion were identified from 13 centers for retrospective evaluation.

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  • Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) is being recognized as an effective treatment for non-acute subdural hematomas (NASHs), but its impact on coagulopathic patients needs further investigation.
  • In a study analyzing 537 patients undergoing MMAE from 2019 to 2023, researchers found that coagulopathy significantly increases the likelihood of needing additional surgical intervention post-treatment.
  • Specifically, patients with coagulopathy required rescue surgery at rates almost three times higher than those without coagulopathy, suggesting that anticoagulant and antiplatelet use may worsen outcomes.
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Background: Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are abnormal connections between arteries and veins within the dura mater. Various treatment modalities, such as surgical ligation, endovascular intervention, and radiosurgery, aim to close the fistulous connection. Although transvenous embolization (TVE) is the preferred method for carotid-cavernous fistulas, its description and outcomes for noncavernous dAVFs vary.

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Background And Objectives: The choice of anesthesia type (general anesthesia [GA] vs nongeneral anesthesia [non-GA]) in middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) procedures for chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) differs between institutions and left to care team discretion given lack of standard guidelines. We compare the outcomes of GA vs non-GA in MMAE.

Methods: Consecutive patients receiving MMAE for cSDH at 14 North American centers (2018-2023) were included.

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Background: Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is an interventional therapy for symptomatic internal carotid artery disease. Currently, the utilization of TCAR is contentious due to limited evidence. In this study, we evaluate the safety and efficacy of TCAR in patients with symptomatic internal carotid artery disease compared with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS).

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Purpose: Assessing clot composition on prethrombectomy computed tomography (CT) imaging may help in stroke treatment planning. In this study we seek to use microCT imaging of fabricated blood clots to understand the relationship between CT radiographic signals and the biological makeup.

Methods: Clots (n = 10) retrieved by mechanical thrombectomy (MT) were collected, and 6 clot analogs of varying RBC composition were made.

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Background And Objectives: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become a viable alternative to carotid endarterectomy for the management of carotid stenosis. Our aim was to determine the rate of radiographic restenosis after CAS and clinical, radiographic, and procedural predictors of in-stent restenosis.

Methods: Our single-center, prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed for CAS procedures performed in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients over 12 years (2010-2022).

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Background: Periprocedural ischemic stroke remains a serious complication in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We used a novel robotic transcranial Doppler (TCD) system equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring during TAVR to establish the safety and potential validity of this tool in detecting cerebral emboli, report the quantity and distribution of high intensity transient signals (HITS) with and without cerebral protection, and correlate HITS occurrence with various procedural steps.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing TAVR procedures during which the robotic system was used between October 2021 and May 2022 were prospectively enrolled in this pilot study.

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Article Synopsis
  • Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) is a new treatment for a condition called chronic subdural hematomas (cSDHs), which are injuries inside the brain that can cause problems.
  • This study looked at two groups of patients: one that got only MMAE and another that had MMAE plus surgery to see which treatment worked better.
  • The results showed that both treatments were pretty much equally effective, meaning MMAE alone is a good option for some patients with cSDHs.
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  • Major randomized trials for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke often excluded patients with low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores (ASPECTS:0-5), despite these patients potentially benefiting from the treatment.
  • A systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies with 1958 patients indicated that while recanalization success rates were similar to those with higher ASPECTS scores, only a modest percentage achieved good functional outcomes and a considerable mortality rate was observed.
  • The findings suggest that MT could be useful for hyperacute stroke patients with low ASPECTS, offering reasonable outcomes and acceptable risks for intracranial hemorrhage.
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Background: Cryopreservation of bone flaps after decompressive craniectomies is a common practice. A frequent complication after bone flap reimplantation is postoperative infection, so culturing of frozen craniectomy bone flaps is a crucial practice that can prevent patient morbidity and mortality. Although many studies report on infection rates after cranioplasty, no study reports on the results of bone flaps stored in a cryopreservation freezer, reimplanted or otherwise.

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